Author: MoMadison

The American Legion 65th National Convention, 1983, Seattle, Washington

The American Legion’s 65th Annual National Convention in 1983 took place in Seattle, Washington, from August 23-25, 1983, featuring addresses from dignitaries like Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan and a focus on national security and the pursuit of peace, with President Reagan unable to attend the main event but sending his remarks and being honored with the Distinguished Service Medal at a later date, all documented in official proceedings available through the Legion’s digital archives.
Key Details:
Event: 65th National Convention of The American Legion.
Location: Seattle, Washington.
Dates: August 23-25, 1983.
Key Speakers/Attendees: Raymond J. Donovan (Secretary of Labor), Hon. Harry N. Walters (VA Administrator), National Commander Keller, and a message from President Ronald Reagan.
Focus: National Security, Foreign Relations, and President Reagan’s initiatives for peace through strength, reflecting the international climate and progress since 1980.
Highlights:
Ambassador Richard Stone was invited to speak on foreign relations.
The convention celebrated a “remarkable year” for the Legion, emerging from challenges with resolve.
Official proceedings and reports, including a welcome message from the National Commander, are preserved in the American Legion Digital Archive.

CLICK HERE for the 122-page printed proceedings of the 65th National Convention.

And who, at the end of the convention, was elected to be the National Commander for 1984-1985? Keith A. Kreul of Wisconsin. (see page 104 of the proceedings). The following were elected National Vice Commanders by acclamation and without opposition: John Lockhart, Hawaii, J. Leslie Brown, Kentucky, Robert W. Grocia, Massachusetts, Charles R. Green, Ohio, and Roberto Gonzalez, Puerto Rico. Anna Gear, Virginia, was elected National President. National Vice-President was Helen Adams, Florida.

A bound, limited-edition set of gavel-to-gavel recordings on cassettes was available at one time.

America Needs the American Legion

Department Commander Nathan Bond persuaded those present that our primary mission is to LEGACY. He said that the three components of Legacy are duty, honor and sacrifice.

We were at the 2nd District Fall Conference at Howard Schroeder American Legion Post Post 457, 6050 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon WI 53092.

This presentation contains 22 minutes of thought-provoking guidance.

Wisconsin Historians Association

Visit the Wisconsin Historians Association website!

The Wisconsin Historians Association (WHA) is a constituent part and subordinate to the American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, and the American Legion, a federal corporation organized by an act of congress. This organization.

We in the WHA celebrate the existence, purpose and activities of Historians!

In more formal, specific (and very serious) language, the WHA is a voluntary union of Department, District, County, Post, Forty and Eight, Twenty and Four, Echelon, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion Historians, desiring to give and gain mutual aid in the collecting from year to year records and data of value and interest to the American Legion in the compilation during their respective terms of office, complete histories of the year’s activities, for the assistance of all historians in coordinating and unifying their work in accordance with national rules governing compilation of American Legion Histories. For the stimulation of interest in the preparation of all American Legion Histories at all levels, and the increase of appreciation of the importance and responsibility of the office of historian. (Article III, Section 2, Wisconsin Historians Association Constitution and By-Laws)

What is a Historian?

Multi-Faceted Person who:

  • Is a great thinker
  • An organizer
  • A collector
  • Likes people
  • Likes a challenge
  • Completes projects
  • Finds life fascinating

In addition:

  • Group contact is important
  • Rules are a must
  • Likes to share information
  • Is a self-starter
  • Pays attention to detail
  • Is neat and clean

Ah! The Historian … the Perfectionist! A highly achieving, goal-oriented teacher … an image maker.

A person who probably scores very high on aptitude tests,
Who probably is an outstanding leader,
Who probably likes to talk and have fun,
Who probably finds that challenges are to be overcome,
Who probably is very patriotic, and
Who probably is bursting at the seams with energy!

This person is a snappy dresser

  • This text is courtesy of Past National Commander Denise Rohan

Hardware and Software

Hardware

All-in-One Color Laser Printer, like (Canon ImageClass MFC726Cdw) or similar
Windows® 11 Computer
HDMI Full High Definition monitor at least 22″

Software

Microsoft Word®
Excellent Indexing, Table of Contents, Photo captioning, and Web Linking

Intuit MAILCHIMP®
Email marketing software for distributing newsletters or periodic communications

Legionsites®
Website building tool for Posts, Auxiliary, SAL and 40&8 groups

Photo/Video Editing and Storage Apps
Apple Photos, Google Photos, Pixillion Image Converter®, Debut Screen Capture®

Document Management
FileCenter®, DropBox, Google Drive

Hosting Services for Websites
GoDaddy

Image editing
Canva for creating brochures and flyers